The Benjamin Rabidoux Memorial Tournament
June 24-25 Dorset Park South Burlington, VT
- Purpose: event to honor BRab24 (Benjamin Rabidoux) who played for the Champlain Mariners (#24) of the Green Mountain men's baseball league since he graduated from high school. Ben passed away in October 2022.
- What: baseball tournament 6/24-6/25. We will live music event featuring Ben Farney and Sean Loan noon to 2:00. Waffley Good Ice Cream truck and Macs Sugar Shack will have food trucks at the event on Saturday.
- Goal: raise awareness for keeping kids engaged (through sports) and involved (teams), promote a “Natural High” movement, instill “Love of Self”, create a scholarship fund.
- How: We appreciate all donations given to this fund! There will be a 50/50 raffle. And we are raffling off items such as a two bedroom cottage at Jay Peak with access to golf and water park for up to four people, a photography session with Hillary Dubie Photography, Essex Discount Beverage is donating a raffle item to be announced, and the Vermont Brownie Company has donated a gift certificate.
- Tournament Prize: trophy for best in game pitcher (whether their team wins or not); trophy for winning team as well as commemorative baseballs for each player on the winning team.
- Scholarship: Proceeds from tournament fees, donations, and 50/50 raffle will go towards a scholarship award. Baseball and softball players can submit their names* (include the name of their team); Winners will be chosen at random, and there are no special requirements; just be You!
Core Values:
- Compassion. We strive to show every person that they are special and have a significant place in this world.
- Inclusion. We want everyone to feel authentically welcomed to participate without prejudice or judgement.
- Community. It takes a village.
What we’re all about
Baseball provides distraction from unhealthy habits, loneliness, boredom by allowing players, to be involved in a sport, feeling camaraderie and acceptance through teams, coaches, mentors, staying active and being health conscious, being aware of what we put into our body.
We want to encourage coaches and players to show altruism towards every player no matter what, and ensure that no one feels left out, no person feels inadequate, everyone feels special in their own way, and counteract anxiety and depression. If you suspect someone needs help, act out.
If you do need extra help, seek out a doctor or professional, and to not self-medicate, even (or maybe especially) if it’s anxiety medicine. Take 15 seconds to be kind to those around you.
Our message
Everyone is special in their own unique way. Every person has a purpose for being born and living. Find your purpose and make every day count.
Save the date! Saturday June 24th
Between Saturday's games, we will have live music provided by Ben Farney and Sean Loan from noon to 2:00.
We want all our friends come celebrate Ben, dance a little, play some games, have some food and participate in a 50-50 raffle and other raffle prizes!
We'll also be awarding the scholarship and sending some love out to the GMBL teams who will continue to play Saturday afternoon. The winning teams will have playoffs on Sunday and compete for the trophy! Everyone is welcome to come to the games and cheer on your favorite team. ⚾️ ❤️ Our friends from Waffly Good will be serving up ice cream (to be purchased) during the games.🍦And Macs Sugar Shack will be selling tacos and other food items all day Saturday.
The tournament games and the celebration of Ben will be at Veterans Park on Dorset Street in South Burlington. Games are scheduled to start at 10 AM.
It takes a village:
A heartfelt thanks is given to Dylan Newton who had a very special 15 year friendship with Ben since they met at age 15 when they play together on a Babe Ruth baseball league. Since high school, they've played for the Green Mountain Baseball League on the Champlain Mariners team (with an outstanding record of winning the championships!)
Dylan has organized the baseball tournament to honor BRab24 and help us bring awareness to the movement "baseball is my natural high".
We want to be inclusive, so that is why we are asking for all leagues of all ages to apply to win the scholarship that we are offering as a result of this fundraiser. ⚾️❤️
* Submit players names and contact information to:
Benjamin D. Rabidoux Memorial Scholarship
2872 Buck Hill Road
Westfield, VT 05874
